Chapter Eight: The Sting

Neal was sitting in the FBI's surveillance van across the street from the jewelry store. He was feeling anxious about catching this thief. He had spent the better part of the morning trying his best to keep his mind not preoccupied with the lies he knew Peter was hiding. It should be easier now that it was showtime.

Diana smiled and reached out to adjust Neal's lapel to his jacket.

Neal cocked his head and arched his eyebrows when he looked at her. "What are you doing?"

"Getting into character, honey." She smiled, then gently patted the collar as she laid it down against his chest.

Peter was sitting in the chair watching the two. He had struggled most of the night with the news of him being Neal's brother. But to his surprise he had began to adjust to the news, and now as he sat there watching Neal fuss with Diana, he realized this was not so bad. Neal was a good kid; he was just dealt a bad hand, and he made some bad calls when playing those cards throughout his life.

Peter was in his life now; he had been for a few years, as a friend and partner. But now taking on this new role as an official big brother in Neal's life would give him more right to meddle in the kid's life. A soft smile spread Peter's lips as he thought about it.

Neal looked over at Peter and saw him smiling, "What are you smiling at?"

"Nothin'" Peter gently shook his head as he said the simple word.

Diana looked at Peter and narrowed her eyes. "I've seen that look before, that's not a nothin' kind of look."

"I just get a kick out of watching the two of you."

Jones was sitting across from Peter and chuckled softly. "So do I. You two act like you hate each other but deep down, I think you respect each other."

Neal grinned. "You think she respects me, huh?"

Diana smiled in a sweet yet sarcastic way when she looked at Neal. "Don't go getting the wrong idea, slick."

"Wouldn't think of it." Neal slipped his hat on.

"All right you two, it's almost showtime." Peter stood and slipped a pen into Neal's shirt pocket. "This is a voice transmitter. This way we can hear everything that is said in the room. All right, you remember the plan, Neal?"

"I keep a lookout for the suspect and once I see him make the lift I say, 'It's getting hot in here.' Then stand back and wait for you to enter the building."

"Yeah, and when I say stand back, Neal, I mean stay out of the way. I don't want you getting any dumb ideas like you did last week and getting yourself killed. Got it?"

"Got it. No dumb ideas." Neal gave his charismatic smile.

Diana laced her arm through Neal's. "It's one. Let's go."

"We'll be waiting in the van." Peter smiled as the two exited the van.

Peter sat quietly while they waited for them to walk to the store. He realized he was planning on telling Neal the truth that evening. Now he began to wonder how Neal would take the news. What if he became angry about it. After all you're suppose to be able to trust your brother, and their relationship was not based on trust. No, their relationship was based on an FBI agreement and a tracking anklet. But maybe that could change, if Neal would be willing. Peter knew he was willing, more than willing actually.

His thoughts were interrupted when he suddenly heard a voice over the intercom.

"Mr. Holden, Ms. Santella, nice to see you again."

"Carson, how have you been?" Neal shook the man's hand.

"I am good, thank you sir. I have already prepared the necklace for your viewing. If you would follow me please."

Neal and Diana followed Carson to a table in the center of the room that was covered in a black velvet cloth.

"If you don't mind waiting here while I retrieve the necklace."

Neal smiled at him as he watched him walk to the back of the room. He leaned in close to Diana's ear and whispered, "This is strange; they are supposed to show the necklaces in a private room, not out in the open like this."

Diana looked at Neal and her smile disappeared. "Why is he showing it out in the open then?"

"I don't know. But this does make the necklace much easier to lift."

Carson was again approaching carrying a black silk-covered box. He slowly opened the box and removed the diamond necklace. It was magnificent, the sparkle, the clarity of the diamonds was incredible. Carson gently placed the necklace down on the table in front of them. He smiled. "It's beautiful, isn't it."

"It sure is." Neal was reaching out to touch the necklace with his hand, when Carson's hand suddenly hovered over the necklace, blocking Neal's hand, "I am sorry, sir, but store policy forbids anyone to touch the necklace."

Neal shifted his weight and slipped his hands into his pockets. He had a bad feeling about this guy. He was not sure why but he decided he would find out. "Really, store policy? Isn't it also store policy to show the necklace in a private room, not out in the open like this, where it could be stolen?"

Diana's eyes widened and she looked at Neal and smiled. "Honey, I am sure they know what they're doing."

"Do they?" Neal's eyes never left Carson's eyes. He could see he was starting to sweat it. He could see the man was not as innocent as he appeared to be. Neal knew a con when he saw one.

Peter was listening in the van. As soon as he heard Neal he leaned forward, "Neal, what are you doing?" he questioned out loud.

Jones was looking at Peter; he could see Peter's concern that Neal was about to blow everything. Blow their cover.

Suddenly a man in a long black coat entered behind Neal and Diana; Neal turned to look at the man but when he turned back he saw Carson's expression. He was calling the man off. Neal realized that second they were working together. It made perfect sense: Carson was the inside man, he had access to the computers to see when appointments were being made on any of the necklaces because all the appointments were required to be recorded in one location due to the designers orders. They were saving the store he worked at for last, so they could make their break after the final theft. Neal tilted his head in so he could clearly be heard through pen transmitter. "It's getting hot in here. Really hot."

The man in the black coat apparently didn't get Carson's message as quickly as he should have. He was still approaching the table when Peter and Jones came barging into the store, their guns pointed directly at the man in the black coat.

The man raised his hands and when Jones grabbed his wrist to handcuff him, he quickly twisted around, releasing himself from Jones grip, then he sent a flying blow into Jones' face. Jones hit the ground hard but managed to jump back to his feet as the man took off, bolting passed Peter and through the front glass doors that led out into the street. Jones bolted after him and Peter began to follow but stopped for a second and looked at Neal. "Stay here!"

"Peter, they're working together." But Neal was not quick enough in his reply as Peter had already took off in the direction of the thief and Jones.

Neal slowly turned back around to face Carson who had managed to make his getaway during all the commotion. "Diana, where's Carson?"

Diana looked up and around the room. "Crap. Stay here, Neal, I'll go look for him." She disappeared into the back of the store, clearing each room one at a time.

Neal stood in the center of the jewelry store looking around, he was thinking if it had been him, how would he have escaped? Then it dawned on him, he wouldn't have. He would have made them think he escaped then when they cleared the room to look for him he would have made his escape then. A smile settled on his lips, "Carson, I know you're still here. I'm not a Fed. I'm a con man just like you. They're gone."

Slowly he saw a red drape that was positioned at the back of the store begin to move. Out stepped Carson. He had a sultry smile on his face; he slowly walked towards Neal. "You must be Neal Caffrey."

Neal was surprised the man knew his name. "Who are you?"

"Let's just say, I'm a friend of a friend."

"A friend of whose?" Neal was skeptical as he stared at the evil smile on the man's face.

"Let's not spoil it." Suddenly he darted towards the back door and took off down the alley. Neal had to know who he was, who was he talking about. He chased after him. Carson was quick; he had made it to the busy New York street by the time Neal arrived in the alley. Carson ran passed a magazine stand, knocking it down behind him in hopes of slowing Neal down.

Neal leaped over the stand; he was determined to catch this man. Nothing would stop him. He followed him through an alleyway, trash lined the filthy pavement. The buildings on each side of the alley were tall, blocking off the sun. The smell of rotten food permeated the air. A homeless man was leaning up against the brick wall with a hat pulled down over his eyes. Neal darted around him trying to avoid tripping over his legs that were stretched out in front of him.

Neal stopped abruptly; the alley had hit a dead end into another building. His eyes scanned the environment; he had lost track of his target. Carson seem to have disappeared into thin air. Neal looked up the side of the building thinking he could have climbed a fire escape, but there was no fire escape. And unless he could climb walls there was no way he went up.

"Nice try." Neal heard the voice come from behind him, he spun around and was met with a fist planted across his nose. The blow was so sudden and unexpected he toppled over flat on his back. Carson was now hovering over him. Neal's head was spinning out of control; he was seeing double. Carson grabbed Neal's jacket and pulled him slightly off the ground so their faces were only inches from each other, "Keller says hi." The voice was dark and spoken in an undertone. Hearing that name again sent chills down his spine.

Neal was trying to settle his spinning head. He looked at Carson. "Tell Keller he can jump off a bridge for all I care."

Carson smiled then dropped Neal back to the dirty alley floor. He stood over him; he had a sinister way about him. "Tell him yourself." Then he suddenly stepped to the side and there behind him stood the one man Neal hated with all his might. Keller.